Business Ordinances & Building Codes - City of Galva Illinois

The City of Galva ensures that commerce and construction thrive safely and responsibly through carefully crafted business ordinances, zoning rules, and building codes. These regulations define what types of businesses can operate where, how properties may be developed and used, and the construction standards that ensure safety, quality, and harmony with community character.

Business & Zoning Ordinances

Galva regulates and requires licensing for businesses that sell liquor. See Liquor Licensing ordinance below that includes two amendments and visit the Economic Development page to view and download the Business Start-Up Guide, so learn how to apply for a Liquor License.

Liquor Ordinance & Amendments

The Ordinance Regulating the Siting of Small-Scale Solar Systems outlines the requirements for installing rooftop and ground-mounted solar energy systems within the City of Galva. It defines eligible locations, system size limits, and setback requirements, while also detailing the permit application process, inspection procedures, and compliance standards. The ordinance includes provisions for system maintenance, decommissioning, and removal to ensure installations remain safe and consistent with local zoning regulations.

Small Scale Solar Siting Ordinance

The Temporary Use Permit Ordinance authorizes short-term land uses—such as tent or truck sales, foreign vendors, seasonal produce, firewood, and Christmas tree sales—with defined allowable zones, application and fee requirements, duration limits, site plan standards, and operational conditions to safeguard safety, traffic flow, parking, and neighborhood character.

Temporary Use Permit Ordinance

The Galva Zoning Ordinance establishes a comprehensive framework dividing the city into distinct zones—Residential, Business (B1 & B2), and Manufacturing (M1 & M2)—to regulate land use, building form, density, signage, parking/loading, and development procedures.

Business Districts:

B1 (Retail & Limited Retail) and B2 (General Service) zones host a wide range of commercial uses. Permitted activities include shops, offices, service businesses, and certain civic uses, while some require Special Use Permits. Buildings in B2 can reach up to three stories or 45 feet, with setback and bulk standards mirroring B1.
Both districts include detailed regulations for signage, offstreet parking, and loading to ensure safety, aesthetics, and traffic flow

Manufacturing Districts:

M1 (Limited Manufacturing) and M2 (General Manufacturing) are designed for more intensive industrial activities, with safeguards to limit nuisances such as noise, emissions, and traffic to protect surrounding areas.
These zones permit industrial operations typical of small to mid-scale manufacturing and distribution. Signage guidelines in M1 follow B1 rules, while M2 also allows larger billboards, subject to height and size limits.

Across all districts, the ordinance specifies procedures and standards for building permits, Special Use Permits, variances, site plan approvals, rezoning, and enforcement—including penalties for violations—ensuring a predictable and orderly development process.

Full Zoning Ordinance information is at the link below.

Galva Zoning Ordinance

Building Codes

The City of Galva adheres to the following codes:

Building Code: 2024 Edition of the International Building Code
Electrical Work: 2023 Edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC).
Plumbing Work: 2004 Edition of the State of Illinois Plumbing Code
Property Maintenance: 2021 Edition of the International Property Maintenance Code
Fire Protection: 2003 Edition of the National Fire Protection Code

Contact the City Administrative Offices

For more information related to Business Ordinances & Building Codes contact the City Administrative Offices.

Phone: (309) 932-2555